Their mission, according to their website, is “to empower the world´s underrepresented young people, especially girls, through engineering and technology to become innovators and leader”.

They just launched (with AAAI, a leading organization in Artificial Intelligence) — the first, global Curiosity Machine AI Family Challenge – a two-stage competition for 20,000 underserved 3rd-8th grade students and parents (especially mothers) to use AI technologies and tools (sensors, data analysis tools) to solve problems in their communities (along the tracks of health, energy, food, transportation, education, public safety and civic engagement).

Of course, I thought: “what a wonderful mission and challenges!” How can I help? So she proposed me to do an interview where I could provide my thoughts on AI and its impact, targeting this particular audience.

It took me some weeks to complete it, as I have been very busy moving to another city, but I managed to answer the questions I hope in an interesting way. I hope this can also help to disseminate our research community, ISMIR, and its efforts to increase inclusion and variety, WiMIR, which I am very proud to contribute to.

The HUMAINT project will (1) provide a scientific understanding of machine vs human intelligence; (2) analyze the influence of machine learning algorithms into human behaviour (3) investigate to what extent these findings should influence the European regulatory framework. Given my research expertise, music will be an important use case to address.

In the context of this project, three postdoc positions in the area of machine learning and human behaviour are open for appointment from January 1, 2018, at the Joint Research Centre (European Commission) in Seville, Spain. The fully funded positions are available for a period of three years. Particular areas of interests:

Application domains: music and arts, social networks, health, transport, energy.

We are looking for highly motivated, independent, and outstanding postdoc candidates with a strong background in machine learning and/or human behaviour. An excellent research track record, ability to communicate research results and involvement in community initiatives is expected. Candidates should have EU/EEA citizenship.

The JRC offers an enriching multi-cultural and multi-lingual work environment with lifelong learning and professional development opportunities, and close links to top research organisations and international bodies around the world. Postdoctoral researchers receive a competitive salary and excellent working conditions, and will define their own research agenda inline with the project goals.

JRC-Seville is located in Cartuja 93 scientific and technological park. Seville is the fourth-largest city in Spain. With more than 30 centuries of history (gateway of America for two centuries, main actor in the first circumnavigation of the Earth), three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and privileged climate, it combines its historical and touristic character with a consolidated economic development and innovation potential.

We are also open for collaborations with external researchers, as one of our goals is to build an expert network in the topics.